And on Thursday, he donated more than 200 of those items to Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and the state of Texas.

Among the things handed over was a rifle used by Davy Crockett; a Mexican leader's belt buckle; and cannonballs that were used in battle.

All told, Collins estimates that he's spent about "seven figures" building up his collection. "Some people buy Ferraris and houses in different countries," the singer mused to the Times. "I buy bits of metal."

Now, those "bits of metal" are heading back to the place from whence they came.